Suction cleaner nozzle of the agitator type



July 9, 1968 K. A. JONSSON 3,391,418

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE OF THE AGITATOR TYPE Filed June 1, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

BY W

J y 9, 1968 K. A. JONSSON 3,391,418

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE OF THE AGITATOR TYPE Filed June 1, 19% 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M AITDR/VE y J y 9 1963 K. A. JONSSON 3,391, 18

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE OF THE AGITATOR TYPE Filed June 1, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 22 I I t IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,391,418 SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE OF THE AGITATOR TYPE Kurt Alvar .lonsson, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed June 1, 1966, Ser. No. 554,451 Claims priority, application Sweden, June 1, 1965, 7,169/65 9 Claims. (Cl. -319) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A suction nozzle having an agitator which is at a suction opening and driven by an electric motor, an electric circuit having a switch for connecting the motor to a source of electrical energy, a hollow body for the motor, switch and agitator which has a passageway for flowing air from the suction opening to an air outlet connected to a source of suction during normal operation of the nozzle, and a flexible diaphragm forming a wall part of the passageway and having one surface thereof subjected to the vacuum developed in the passageway and another surface thereof subjected to atmospheric pressure of ambient air, the diaphragm flexing to one position to close the switch and operate the motor to drive the agitator when the vacuum developed in the passageway is at least at a predetermined value and the diaphragm flexing to another position to open the switch and stop the motor when the vacuum developed in the passageway is below the predetermined value.

My invention relates to suction cleaner nozzles of the agitator type, and more particularly to a nozzle of this kind which is adapted to be connected to a source of suction and provided with an agitator driven by an electric motor.

When sucking dust on smooth surfaces, as with a nozzle manipulated over a Wooden floor, the dust generally is more or less in a freely accessible position and the cleaning operation primarily resides in transporting and moving the dust to a dust collecting member. On the other hand, carpeting must be pressed down by a suction cleaner nozzle manipulated over such an object which produces substantial resistance to flow of air toward the inlet of the nozzle. When the suction cleaner nozzle is employed to clean a wooden floor, the volume of air sucked through the nozzle is relatively great but the vacuum developed is relatively low and may be equivalent to a water column of about 60 mm., for example. When cleaning a dense cotton carpet, the vacuum developed at the working point or suction inlet is relatively high and may be equivalent to a water column of about 900 mm., for example. When cleaning a more porous carpet, the vacuum developed Within the nozzle at the suction inlet or working point may be equivalent to a water column of about 570' mm., for example.

Therefore, in one case the function of the suction cleaner nozzle is primarily one of surface cleaning, as when moving the nozzle over a wooden floor, for example. In such event, the nozzle desirably should function to effect surface cleaning which primarily involves producing a strong air stream along the floor surface which means moving a great volume of air per unit of time. When cleaning porous objects like carpets, the air stream must necessarily flow through the object to effect loosening of dust particles lodged in the pores therein. In this case a relatively great resistance to air flow must be overcome under working conditions where the volume of air passing through the cleaner per unit of time is relatively small.

It has generally been the practice heretofore, when Patented July 9, 1968 operating a suction cleaner nozzle of the agitator type, to drive the agitator continuously irrespective of the kind of cleaning being effected. It is desirable to operate the agitator when the suction cleaner nozzle is being employed to clean a porous object like a carpet, for example, because the agitator promotes loosening of dust from such an object at the same time that air flows through the object to dislodge dust therefrom. However, it is objectionable to employ an agitator when sucking dust on smooth surfaces like wooden floors, for example. Under such operating conditions, the bristles of the agitator kick up dust and dirt and force such foreign matter from the suction inlet of the nozzle.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved suction cleaner nozzle of the kind referred to above that functions to meet widely different operating conditions.

Another object of my invention is to provide such an improved suction cleaner nozzle for selectively rendering the agitator operable to perform a particular type of cleaning.

A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved suction cleaner nozzle in which the agitator is rendered operable responsive to a predetermined vacuum developed in a space into which air is sucked through the suction inlet or working point of the nozzle.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a suction cleaner nozzle in which the motor for driving the agitator is controlled responsive to the vacuum developed in the nozzle for different types of cleaning.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a suction cleaner nozzle of this kind in which the agitator is resiliently biased toward the surface being cleaned and movable against the object depending upon its porosity.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 11 of FIG. 2, of a suction cleaner nozzle embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view, partly broken away and in section, of the suction cleaner nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of parts embodied in the'suction cleaner nozzle shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate details more clearly;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary exploded view of parts, some of which are shown in FIG. 3, illustrating a modification of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view illustrating the suction cleaner nozzle and elongated wand which is connected to a source of suction and serves as a handle for manipulating the nozzle; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit for the motor and other parts illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, in FIGS. 1 and 6 I have shown a suction cleaner nozzle embodying my invention which comprises a hollow body 10 to the narrow rear portion of which is connected a tubular air outlet member 11. The tubular member 11 serves as an air outlet socket adapted to be connected to a suction line including a wand 12 and a hose 14 of a suction cleaner and through a which air is drawn when the suction cleaner is being operated.

The wand 12 is normally at an acute angle to the vertical when employed to manipulate the nozzle over a horizontal surface to be cleaned, the body 10 being formed to provide a hollow recessed portion having an opening 16 in a wall thereof and at which region the air outlet member 11 is angularly movable. The hollow interior of the body 10 is formed to provide a passageway through which air is drawn toward the air outlet member 11 from the region of the elongated air inlet opening 15.

The hollow body 10 comprises top and bottom sections 17 and 18, respectively, and a bottom plate 19 which functions as a base member adapted to slide and move over a surface to be cleaned. The top and bottom sections 17 and 18 are detachably connected together by screws 20 which are accessible at the bottom of the nozzle body 10 after the bottom plate 19 is removed. A major portion of the body 10 is defined by the top body section 17 and the bottom plate 19, as shown in FIG. 1. The top section 17 and bottom plate 19 are formed with outwardly extending flanges 21 and 22, respectively, Which extend about the entire periphery of the body 10 and are detachably held together by a member 23 which is formed of resilient material and is U-shaped in section, as shown in FIG. 1.

The flanges 21 and 22 snugly fit in the U groove in the member 23 which holds them tightly together. Hence, the resilient member 23 functions as a detachable connection for the top section 17 and bottom plate 19 to provide an air-tight seal between these parts and also serves as a bumper to protect objects against which the suction nozzle may strike when being moved back and forth over a surface being cleaned. In addition, the bottom plate 19 may be detachably connected to the top section 17 by screws 20 accessible at the bottom of the body 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

The bottom plate 19 is formed with an elongated slot which defines the air inlet 15 at the vicinity of which is rotatably mounted an agitator 24 having bristles 25' arranged to project radially outward through the air inlet 15 and frictionally contact the surface being cleaned, such as a rug for example, during movement of the nozzle body 10 over the surface.

The agitator 24 is driven by an electric motor 26 having a shaft 27 provided with a roller 28 at one end thereof. An endless belt 29 is disposed about the roller 28 and a portion of the agitator 24 at which no bristles are fixed thereto. The electric motor 26 is housed in a space 30 defined by partitions or wall sections formed in the top and bottom body sections 17 and 18, respectively. The part of the motor 26 intermediate the ends thereof is enveloped by a ring-shaped body 31 which is formed of resilient material, such as foamed plastic, for example. The ring-shaped body 31 snugly fits about the shell of the motor 26 and is held in the space 30 in any suitable manner.

The top and bottom body sections 17 and 18 are provided with walls or partitions which define an air passageway through which air drawn through the suction inlet 15 flows through the air outlet member 11. The air drawn into the suction inlet 15 passes into a space 32 extending across the front of the nozzle body 10 in front of the motor 26. The interior of the body 10 is formed with a partition 33 which is U-shaped and includes a closed end at the vicinity of the air outlet member 11 and spaced apart side arms 33a extending forward therefrom. The U-Shaped partition 33 and the partitions defining the space 30 in which the motor 26 is housed define air passageways 34 at both sides of the motor 26. The air drawn into the front space 32 through the suction inlet 15 flows rearward through the passageways 34 at each side of the electric motor 26. The .air passing through the passageways 34 merge in a passageway 35 at the rear of the electric motor 26 and flow through the opening 16 at the rear portion of the body 10 into the lower end of the air outlet member 11. The air fiOWs through the wand 12 and hose 14 of the suction line which i connected to the suction inlet of a suction cleaner having a motorfan unit for producing a partial vacuum to cause air to be drawn into the suction inlet 15 of the nozzle body 10.

In accordance with my invention the motor 26 for driving the agitator 24 is controlled responsive to the vacuum developed in the space 32 into which air is drawn through the suction inlet 15. I accomplish this by providing a plate or member 36 which forms the top wall of the space 32. The plate 36 is flexible and move up and down responsive to variations in the vacuum developed in the space 32 of the nozzle body 10.

A switch housing 37 is mounted in any suitable manner in a space 38 between the top body section 17 and the flexible plate 36. Within the switch housing 37 is provided a switch 39 having a stationary contact 40 and movable contact 41 carried at the outer free end of a leaf spring 42. The switch housing 37 is provided with an opening at the bottom thereof at which region a hollow sleeve or bushing 43 is fixed. A pin 44, which is fixed at its lower end to the plate 36, is vertically movable in the leeve 43. When the flexible plate 36 moves upward sufiiciently, the pin 44 acts against the leaf spring 42 to separate the contacts 40 and 41. As shown in FIG. 7, the motor 26 is connected by conductors 45 and 46 to an electrical cord 47 adapted to be connected to a source of electrical supply. The switch 39 is connected in the conductor 45.

When an object like a carpet, for example, is cleaned by the suction nozzle 10, the vacuum developed in the space 32 is relatively high, as explained above, thereby causing the plate 36 to flex downward to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7. In such position the pin 44 moves downward and the upper end thereof does not act on the leaf spring 42. Under these operating conditions the circuit for the motor 26 is closed and the latter is rendered operable to drive the agitator 24.

When the suction cleaner nozzle is employed to clean a wooden fioor, for example, the volume of air sucked through the nozzle is relatively great but the vacuum developed in the space 32 is relatively low, as explained above, thereby causing the plate 36 to flex upward and impart upward movement to the pin 44. With sufficient upward movement of the pin 44, the upper end thereof will act on the leaf spring 42 and separate the contacts. Under these operating conditions, the circuit for the motor 26 is opened and the latter is rendered inoperable to drive the agitator 24.

A lamp 48 is connected across the conductors 45 and 46 in parallel with the motor 26, as shown in FIG. 7. Hence, a circuit is completed for the lamp 48 when the motor circuit is closed and the agitator 24 is being driven. Conversely, the circuit for the lamp 48 is opened when the motor circuit is opened and the agitator 24 is rendered inoperable. The lamp 48 may be mounted in any suitable manner in the space 38 which is open at the wide front portion of the nozzle body 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the lamp 48 will give a visual signal when the motor 26 is energized and the agitator 24 is functioning. If desired, a suitable electrical device may be employed in place of the lamp 48 to produce an audible signal when the motor 26 is energized and driving the agitator 24.

It will be understood that the flexible plate 36 defines a part of the passageway for air between the suction inlet 15 and air outlet opening 16 at the narrow rear portion of the body 11). Further, the partition 49 between the space 32 and the space 30 extends upward at 49a, at the region of the space 38 in which the switch housing 37 is mounted, and the outwardly extending flanges or parts 33b of the U-shaped part 33 are formed to provide the airtight passageways 34 between the top and bottom sections 17 and 18, respectively, of the nozzle body 10.

In accord with my invention, the agitator 24 is resiliently biased toward the surface being cleaned. I accomplish this by employing a U-shaped bracket 50 having an elongated closed end 50a and shorter spaced apart arms 50b for mounting the agitator 24 for rotation within the nozzle body 10. Pins 51, which are fixed to the outer free ends of the arms 50b and extend outward therefrom, are journaled at 52 in the side walls of the nozzle body at the wide front portion thereof. The agitator 24 comprises a roller 24a having pins 24b extending axially from its opposite ends. The pins 24b snugly fit in openings 500 formed in the arms 50b at regions intermediate the ends thereof. Hence, the arms 50b of the U-shaped bracket 50 are angularly movable about the pins 51 and function to raise and lower the roller 24a at a region which is radially removed from the axis of the pins 51. Further, the roller 24a is mounted for rotation about the pins 24b and rotating movement is imparted to the roller 24a by the belt 29, as explained above. The closed end 50a of the bracket 50 is formed with an upstanding Ushaped channel part having spaced sides 53 which function to guide the belt 29.

In addition, the closed end 50a of the bracket 50 is formed with an upstanding lug 54 having a horizontal flange 54a at its upper end to which the lower threaded end 56 of a hollow sleeve 55a is fixed. A pin 55b, which is slidably movable within the sleeve 55a, extends upward through an opening 57 in the top body section 17 of the nozzle body 10. The upper end of the pin 55b is provided with a manually movable control knob 58. The pin 55b is threaded at its upper end and is vertically adjustable in the opening 57 which also is threaded. A helical spring 59 is disposed about the hollow sleeve 55a and pin 55b, the lower end of the spring 59 bearing against the flange 54a and the upper end thereof bearing against a flange 55c fixed to the pin 55b.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be understood that the spring 59 functions to bias the closed end 50a of the bracket 50 downward toward the surface being cleaned. The extent of such downward movement of the bracket 50 is limited by a lower limit stop, as shown in FIG. 3. When the nozzle body 10 is moved over a raised portion of a surface being cleaned, the agitator 24 will be moved upward about the axis of rotation of the bracket 50 against the biasing action of the spring 59. Under normal operating conditions, the spring 59 will function to bias the agitator 24 downward toward the surface being cleaned which is especially effective when cleaning deep pile carpeting; By manually turning the knob'58 to raise and lower the flange 550 on the pin 55b, the tension of the spring 59 can be adjusted to vary its tension and hence the biasing action thereof on the agitator 24.

In FIGS. 3A and 4, I have shown a modification in which the top horizontal flange 54a at the upper end of the upstanding lug 54 of the bracket 50 is formed with a threaded opening 54b to receive the lower threaded end of a bolt 60 having a manually movable control knob 58' at its upper end. In the exploded view of FIG. 3A, the bolt 60 is shown in two parts. It Will be understood that this has been done simply to illustrate the bolt more clearly.

The top body section 17 is formed with an opening 61 through which the bolt 60 extends. A helical spring 59' is disposed about the bolt 60, the lower end of the spring bearing against the flange 54a and the upper end thereof bearing against the underside of the top body section 17. With this arrangement the spring 59 functions to resiliently hold the knob 58' against the top surface of the top body section 17.

The underside of the knob 58' is formed with radially extending channels 62 at diametrically opposite sides of the axis about which it is turned. The top body section 17, at the vicinity of the opening 61 therein, is formed with a plurality of radially extending ridges 63 which are angularly spaced apart. With this construction the knob 58 can be rotated on the nozzle body 10 with its underside sliding over the ridges 63. When the agitator 24 is at its desired vertical position, the knob 58' can be positioned so that diametrically opposing ridges 63 are seated in the channels 62, thereby holding the knob 58' at the position to which it is moved to maintain the agitator in its adjusted vertical position.

The agitator 24 is provided with several rows of bristles 25 which are angularly spaced with respect to one another and extend axially of the roller 24a between the pins 2411 at its opposite ends. The bristles 25 project radially outward from the surface of the roller 24a and adjacent rows of bristles 25' preferably are angularly spaced apart so that, when the agitator 24 is stationary, one row of bristles is disposed at one longitudinal edge of the air inlet 15 and an adjacent row of bristles is disposed at the opposite longitudinal edge of the air inlet. With this arrangement, the suction inlet 15 will be of maximum size to facilitate cleaning of smooth surfaces, such as wooden floors, when the volume of air sucked into the nozzle body is relatively great, as explained above. The bristles 25' desirably are of such length that,

when the motor 26 is deenergized and stops, a leading n row of bristles 25' in the direction of rotation of the agitator 24 will tend to stop at the leading longitudinal edge of the suction inlet due to the slight frictional engagement between the tips of the bristles 25' and the bottom plate 19 at such leading edge of the suction inlet. Further, the agitator 24 is provided with two groups of bristles 25" at the extreme ends of the roller 24a, each group of bristles 25" being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the agitator and bridging the gaps between the several rows of bristles 25'.

It will now be understood that an improved suction cleaner nozzle of the agitator type has been provided which functions to meet widely different operating conditions. In addition to the pneumatic control illustrated and described above for controlling the motor 26 to selectively render the agitator operable to perform a particular type of cleaning, the magnitude of the biasing action of the spring 59 can be effectively adjusted to perform most efliciently the kind of cleaning contemplated. When the object to be cleaned is relatively porous, such as a deep pile carpet, the biasing action of the spring 59 can be increased so that the bristles 25' will effectively reach regions of the carpet in which dust is lodged. Conversely, when an object being cleaned is less porous and like a rag rug, for example, the biasing action of the spring 59 can be reduced.

Further, when an operator inadvertently leaves the suction nozzle 10 and the wand 12 on a carpet being cleaned, for example, the wand, which is more or less horizontally disposed on the carpet, will cause the suction nozzle 10 to assume an inclined position with respect to the carpet, as shown in FIG. 6. In such position the suction inlet 15 and agitator 24 will be removed from the surface of the carpet. Under these conditions, the pneumatic control described above will function to open the circuit for the motor 26 and render the latter inoperable to drive the agitator. Hence, even though the hose 14 remains connected to a source of suction, the agitator 24 will be stationary and not revolving and the liklihood of damaging the carpet or any object adjacent thereto will be avoided.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow body having a suction inlet for air and an air outlet adapted to be connected to a source of suction during normal operation of the nozzle, means within said hollow body providing a path of flow for air between the suction inlet and the air outlet for developing vacuum in said path of flow when the outlet is connected to the source of suction during operation of the nozzle, an agitator, means for mounting said agitator for rotation about an axis at the vicinity of the suction inlet, driving means including an electric motor for rotating said agitator, means comprising an electric circuit for connecting said motor to a source of electrical supply, a switch in said circuit, and control means for rendering said driving means operable and inoperable to drive said agitator, said control means including mechanism for closing said switch to render said motor operable to drive said agitator responsive to vacuum developed in said path of flow within said body which is at least at a predetermined value and for opening said switch to render said motor inoperable to drive said agitator responsive to vacuum developed in said path of flow in said body which is below said predetermined value.

2. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said path of flow is defined in part by a diaphragm flexible between first and second positions and having opposing surfaces, said mechanism comprising said diaphragm which has one of its surfaces subject to the vacuum developed in said path of flow and the other of its surfaces subject to atmospheric pressure of ambient air, said diaphragm in its first position functioning to close said switch to render said motor operable to drive said agitator and said diaphragm in its second position functioning to open said switch to render said motor inperable to drive said agitator.

3. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for mounting said agitator for rotation comprises a U-shaped member having a closed end and spaced arms extending therefrom, means for pivotally mounting the outer free ends of the arms within said hollow body, and said means for mounting said agitator for rotation comprising structure for journaling the ends of said agitator at regions of the arms intermediate the ends thereof.

4. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which said driving means for rotating said agitator comprises said electric motor having a shaft and an endless belt for driving said agitator from said shaft, the closed end of said U-shaped member being disposed between said agitator and said shaft and transverse to said belt, and the closed end of said U-shaped member including means for guiding said belt.

5. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 which includes structure disposed between said body and the closed end of said U-shaped member for moving the spaced arms thereof about their pivotal mounting means to urge said agitator against a surface being cleaned.

6. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 5 which includes means for adjusting said structure disposed between said body and the closed end of said U-shaped member to regulate the force of said agitator against the surface being cleaned.

7. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 which includes stop means in the path of movement of said U- shaped member to limit downward movement of said agitator against the surface being cleaned.

8. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said agitator is provided with several rows of bristles which are spaced from one another and extend axially of said agitator, said bristles extending radially outward from the peripheral surface of said agitator, and the rows of bristles being angularly spaced from one another and of sufficient length so that, when said driving means is rendered inoperable to rotate said agitator, one row of bristles is disposed at one edge of said suction inlet and in frictional engagement therewith and an adjacent row of said bristles behind said one row, with respect to the direction of rotation of said agitator, is disposed at the opposite edge of said suction inlet.

9. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 8 which includes additional bristles at the opposing ends of said agitator, said last-mentioned additional bristles being disposed about the circumference of said agitator between said axially extending rows of bristles and projecting radially outward from the peripheral surface thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,773 1/1905 Dunaway et al. 15366 XR 2,416,418 2/1947 Taylor 15373 XR 2,416,420 2/ 1947 Taylor 15372 2,504,846 4/1950 Kirby 15-319 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

